Baseball Recruiting Confidential

There is a major difference between working hard and playing hard. Xavier Head Coach Billy O’Conner joins host Justin Musil to discuss his saying “Give me the guy who plays hard over the guy who works hard.” The two discuss what Coach O’Conner means with his saying and what he has experienced in his coaching career.  This is a can’t miss discussion on what he wants in his players.

Many players and parents have little direction on what camps and showcases to attend. They are often just wandering through crucial months with uncertainty. In this episode, host Justin Musil is joined by Kent State University Recruiting Coordinator Barret Serrato. Justin and Barrett lay out their advice, for players and parents, on how to decide what camps and showcases to attend.

Great leaders can change a program. Great leaders can impact lives forever. In this episode, host Justin Musil is joined by Northwestern University Head Coach Spencer Allen. The two discuss Coach Allen’s leadership philosophies and the principles he strives for as a leader. This episode is for anyone wanting to make an impact as a leader.

Alan Jaeger and Jaeger Sports have become the gold standard for arm development, arm health, and mental training. Host Justin Musil is joined by Alan Jaeger, as the two discuss a variety of topics. Alan Jaeger gives his advice and recommendations on these topics and every player, parent, and coach should hear them.

Playing in some conferences come with a different level of pressure and attention. The Southeastern Conference is one of those. The large crowds, the media attention, and the pressure that comes with that. In this episode, Host Justin Musil is joined by Louisiana State University Recruiting Coordinator Nolan Cain. Coach Cain is one of the top recruiting coordinators in the country and gives great insight on what it is like to perform in the SEC.

Understanding why players fail at the college level can help future players better prepare themselves. College baseball isn’t easy and there are common reasons why players fail, both academically and on the baseball field. Host Justin Musil is joined by Florida Atlantic University recruiting coordinator Greg Mamula. Coach Mamula has coached at various levels, in college, and is now at one of the best programs in the country.

Competition is rising and opportunity is scarce. College baseball rosters are crowded and will be for a while, due to the pandemic and NCAA eligibility waivers. Picking the right school is more important now, than ever before. Host Justin Musil is joined on this episode by Lipscomb University Assistant Coach Brian Ryman. Justin and Brian give their advice on how to pick the right school in this environment.

Playing professional baseball isn’t contingent on the level of college baseball a player plays. In this episode, Host Justin Musil explores this topic with Chapman University Head Coach Scott Laverty. Coach Laverty has had players drafted in three straight MLB drafts. He talks about his process at Chapman and how players can become a draft prospect at the D3 level.

A player’s tools are under a microscope for college and professional baseball. If a player is loaded with tools, they gain a lot of attention and are likely to be highly sought after. The powerful grip a player’s tools has on scouts and college coaches cannot be denied. On this episode, host Justin Musil is joined by University of Kentucky Head Coach Nick Mingione. Justin and Coach Mingione discuss tools and why they are so important to being successful playing high level baseball. 

One of the hottest subjects in college baseball is over-recruiting. What does it mean and why do schools do it? More importantly, how does this impact incoming players? Those are a few major questions every player and parent should want to know. Host Justin Musil is joined on this episode by Wright State University Associate Head Coach Nate Metzger. Justin and Coach Metzger take on this tough topic and give it clarity. 

There are a lot of misunderstandings with the power 5 vs mid-major conferences. This episode dives into the similarities and differences of the conferences. Host Justin Musil is joined by William & Mary Associate Head Coach Brian Casey. Justin and Coach Casey explain more about mid-majors and the benefits in choosing them.

With all of the different training programs available to players, it is difficult to know what direction to take. Becoming a better athlete helps every baseball player. It may help with speed, velocity, and/or power. This episode focuses on those training tactics and what every player should consider. Host Justin Musil is joined on the podcast by TCU baseball renowned strength and conditioning coach Zach Dechant. This podcast will give you clarity on how to train as a baseball player.

When the lights are on it is easy to see who performs well. What most people don’t see is the behind the scenes work big league hitters do to prepare. Winning at bats starts with a focus, a routine, and a process. It doesn’t just happen. Host Justin Musil is joined on this episode by Chicago Cubs MLB Hitting Coach Anthony Iapoce. Justin and Anthony discuss his process and how hitters win at bats in the big leagues.

The Division 3 level in college baseball is very misunderstood. Most have little knowledge on talent level, many have never seen a D3 baseball game, and some players even scoff at the idea of playing at that level. All without knowing much about it. In this episode, host Justin Musil is joined by Tufts University Head Coach and Coaching Hall of Famer, John Casey. If anyone knows D3 baseball it is Coach Casey, who has coached at that level for nearly 40 years.

Failure is inevitable as players move from high school to college baseball. Imagine moving from high school to the University of North Carolina? As one of the top programs in the country, there are many players who have never seen the consistent competition they will have upon arrival. It is an experience filled with failure. On this episode, host Justin Musil is joined by University of North Carolina Head Coach Scott Forbes. The two take on this subject and how it can impact future success.

The NCAA dead period keeps getting pushed back. Coaches cannot evaluate players in person and players cannot make campus visits. How does anything happen in recruiting when the dead period is in place? Will coaches still make offers? Should players commit without seeing a school? Host Justin Musil and University of Washington Recruiting Coordinator Elliott Cribby, discuss these questions and more on this episode.

College coaches and pro scouts clamor over players who love to compete. They want players who can lift up others around them and make the team better. Competition is also a key factor to preparing and working in other facets of a player’s game. In this episode, Host Justin Musil is joined by the young, passionate, Head Coach from the University of Maine, Nick Derba. Justin and Nick give clarity on this important topic.

Many of the most talented baseball players are good as a position player and as a pitcher. If a player can do it at the high school level, why not at the collegiate level? It’s possible, but isn’t easy. On this episode, Host Justin Musil is joined by University of Cincinnati Recruiting Coordinator JD Heilmann. The two discuss the complexities of being a two way player, but how great it can be for a staff and a player, if it works.

Having the right training program is one of the first steps to maximizing offers. Players and parents often miss this opportunity. On this episode, Host Justin Musil is joined by Tread Athletics Founders Ben Brewster and Coan McAlpin. Ben and Coan have transformed baseball player development and are two of the leading experts in the world. The three discuss this loaded topic and give guidance on how to build a program that takes players to another level.

There are many components of being a student-athlete in college. Responsibility can ramp up at an Ivy league school due to the academic demand. Players have to meet high baseball demands, along with matching the demands at the highest academic institutions in the world. In this episode, Host Justin Musil is joined by Columbia University Recruiting Coordinator Dan Tischler to discuss Ivy League school's academic and baseball rigor.